About Us

We are here to help!

Autism Connections provides a wide variety of services through our Autism Centers in Easthampton and Pittsfield, as well as family and individual supports through referrals by the Department of Developmental Services.

Welcome to the Autism Center

Autism Connections provides support, information, and practical help for children and adults with autism (and their families) living in western Massachusetts.

Autism Connections was founded in 1989 by parents of children with autism. Their goal was to help families, schools, professionals, agencies, and communities understand autism, promote the well-being of individuals with autism and foster their inclusion within the local community.

We continue to focus on helping individuals and families build on their strengths, work together to create a positive vision for the future, and help children and adults learn, grow, and be welcomed, and fully-included members of our communities.

young adult male at computer

The Autism Center offers the following free services:

Information and referral

These services are available to all individuals with autism and their families as well as professionals. Some fees may apply and are noted above.

Direct Services by Department of Disabilities referral

Our mission is to help families, schools, professionals, agencies and communities understand autism, promote the well-being of individuals with autism, and foster their inclusion in the community.

Autism Connections' History

Autism Connections was founded in 1989 by parents of children with autism. Their goal was to help families, schools, professionals, agencies and communities understand autism, promote the well-being of individuals with autism, and foster their inclusion in the community.

Our goal today remains to help families build on their strengths, work together to create a positive vision for the future, and help their children learn, grow, and be welcomed, fully included members of their communities.

Autism Connections is directed by parents and other family members in partnership with autism professionals and other concerned citizens.

Established research has taught a few things over the years which guide our thoughts on supporting families:

  • having a positive vision for your child’s future and building relationships is a key to success
  • early diagnosis, intervention, and support are important
  • services are most effective when tailored to the needs of the child and family, and delivered in a consistent, comprehensive, and coordinated fashion
  • inclusion of children and adults with autism with typical peers in all activities using appropriate supports benefits the entire community

By providing information, advocacy, training and education, and family support in western Massachusetts, Autism Connections echoes the mission of its parent organization, ServiceNet.

Our team is here to support you

Karen Serra

Director of Autism and Family Support Programs

Kansas Brown

Autism Center and Waiver Program Director

Nancy Farnsworth

Educational Advocate, Info & Resources Manager

Joanne Lucey

Communications Specialist

Catherine McEachern

Community Outreach & Education Coordinator

Autism Connections Program Board

Betsy Benton, Parent

Lisa Crouser, Program Committee

Paula Fredericks, Secretary-Program Committee

Bill Loomis, Board Liaison

Dan McManmon

Pamela Sandler, Berkshire Autism Initiative

Jeanne Zobel-Lachiusa, Program Committee

About Autism

Mother hugs son while dad looks on, smiling

What is commonly referred to as “Autism” includes five disorders now often called “Autism Spectrum Disorders” (ASD).

The five are:

  • Autism
  • Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
  • Pervasive Developmental Disorder (not otherwise specified)
  • Rett Syndrome
  • Asperger’s Syndrome

Autism is a brain difference that can affect an individual’s ability to: communicate, relate to people and the environment in typical ways, understand and respond to sensory input (e.g. pain, touch, sound, taste), control movement, and learn and think in typical ways. The effects on learning and functioning can range from mild to severe. Even in its milder forms, functioning in sociali­zation and communication can be very impaired.

Autism occurs in as many as 1 in 68 births nationally (Center for Disease Control).  It is four times more common in males than females.  Autism is found throughout the world in families of all racial, social, econo­mic, and ethnic backgrounds.  There are as many as 1.5 million people with Autism in the United States, and as many as 4,800 in Western Mass­achusetts.  Recent estimates place the number of children from 3 to 18 alone at more than 1,100.

Although the causes of Autism are still unknown, research suggests that there is a strong genetic component with a variety of external and environmental triggers.  No factors in the psychol­ogical environment of the child cause Autism.

There is great diversity among individuals with Autism.  They vary in the extent to which they display the char­acteris­tics of Autism. Characteristics include:

  • difficulty relating to people, ob­jects and events
  • repetitive movements such as rocking or spinning, head banging and hand twisting
  • atypical reactions to sensory stimuli e.g. touch, sound, taste, pain
  • insistence on certain routines
  • difficulty with change and transitions
  • limited or poor eye contact
  • impaired communication skills
  • use of toys and objects in an unconventional manner, little imaginative play
  • may have typical or exceptional abilities in specific areas (e.g. putting puzzles to­gether) but lack other basic skills (e.g. can’t follow directions)

Most specialists agree that a child should be evaluated for Autism immediately if he or she has:

  • not babbled or cooed by one year
  • not gestured, pointed or waved by one year
  • not spoken a single word by 16 months
  • not spoken a two-word phrase by two years
  • experiences a loss of any language skills at any age

Research and experience indi­cate the following:

  • Early diagnosis and appropriate in­tervention are most helpful in the future development of children and adults with Autism, but help at any age may make a significant difference.  There are many ex­amples of adults who live quite typical lives who had se­vere difficulties as children and adults.
  • Services and support must be tailor­ed to the needs of the in­dividual child and be delivered in a con­sistent, comprehensive, and coor­dinated fashion.
  • The inclusion of children and adults with Autism with typical peers in all activities using appropriate supports is beneficial to all.
  • Many people with Autism respond best to structured, in­dividualized educational programs.  Programs using positive approaches based on a careful analysis of context, functions of behaviors, individual learning styles and information processing irregularities, have produced effective and durable re­sults in teaching new skills and changing many of the behaviors typically displayed by children and adults with Autism.  In addition, sensory in­tegration, social skills training, dietary changes, vitamins, medications, and other interventions have also been used with suc­cess in some instances to address specific issues.

FAQs

My child was just diagnosed with autism. What do I do?
Breathe! And then breath some more!When you are ready, it is important to ensure that you find a proper medical team for your child. It would be helpful if the pediatrician you choose has experience treating children with autism. Your relationship will be a good starting point for conversations about the needs of your child.You may want to do some if your own research about autism so you can begin to make informed medical, therapeutic, educational and social/recreational choices as you identify the needs of your child.You and your family are not alone in your journey, and we are here to help.
I need a diagnostic evaluation. Where can I go?
Your child will need to be diagnosed by a developmental pediatrician, neurologist, psychiatrist or psychologist. The health care professional you choose will test your child through psychological and behavioral tests to determine if your child has autism.There are often a long waiting lists to obtain an evaluation so it is best to make an appointment as soon as you think the evaluation is recommended, or you think it will be helpful. Please contact us if you need suggestions for providers in your area.
Where can I find a support group?
Many parents find support groups very helpful to manage their own anxiety about their child's challenges, and to share collective data about local providers and programs.Our monthly newsletter highlights an extensive list of support groups throughout the area. We provide group descriptions, meeting dates/times, and organizer contact information. There are also a selection of online groups.
How to I get my child on an IEP (Individualized Education Plan)
An IEP is a document used to determine which types of services a child with a disability may need. The first step in receiving an IEP is to request that your school evaluate your child.Once your child is evaluated and found eligible, you will contact your school district Special Education Department to schedule a meeting. The IEP will be developed in that meeting.Parents sometimes hire an Educational Advocate for support in arranging appropriate services (both before, during, and after the meeting). Families also may bring another family member or a friend to take notes so parents are fully engaged in conversations.
I need a psychiatrist/therapist/dentist. Can you help me find one?
Contact us for suggestions in your area. We will soon have an interactive online Resource Directory where you can search for local providers.
Where can I go for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services?
ABA therapy can be very helpful for children and adults with autism. Contact us for suggestions of providers in your area.
How do I receive services from Autism Connections?
Autism Connections’ direct services require a referral from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). DDS is a state agency that helps determine services for people with disabilities and will refer them to the proper agency. You can fill out an eligibility application here.We also will answer your questions by phone and email and help you navigate your process as much as possible.Our family activities, sensory friendly events and skill groups are open to the community.
What is ARICA?
ARICA (An Act Relative to Insurance Coverage for Autism), is a law passed in 2010, requiring private health insurers in Massachusetts to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. This insurance may help cover specialized therapies. For more information visit The Autism Insurance Resource Center.
What is Asperger's?
There is different terminology to refer to different types of autism. Our friends at the Asperger/Autism Network have a wonderful glossary that helps to explain some of most common vocabulary in the world of autism.
I am an adult with autism, what's next?
Some people are not diagnosed with autism until they are adults. The diagnosis can help explain some challenges that they have lived with for many years.Please contact us for more specific information in your area about adult social groups, activities and general information you may find helpful.